2019 Nissan Kicks

2019 Chevrolet Trax

Safety

The Kicks has standard Automatic Emergency Braking, which use forward mounted sensors to warn the driver of a possible collision ahead. If the driver doesn’t react and the system determines a collision is imminent, it automatically applies the brakes at full-force in order to reduce the force of the crash or avoid it altogether. The Trax has a collision warning system without the crash-mitigating brake feature that could reduce stopping distances.

The Kicks SR has a standard Around View® Monitor to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Trax only offers a rear monitor and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the front or sides.

Warranty

The Kicks’ corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the Trax’s (unlimited vs. 100,000 miles).

Reliability

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ December 2018 Auto Issue reports that Nissan vehicles are more reliable than Chevrolet vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Nissan 9 places higher in reliability than Chevrolet.

Engine

As tested in Car and Driver the Nissan Kicks is faster than the Chevrolet Trax:

Kicks

Trax

Zero to 60 MPH

9.7 sec

9.8 sec

Speed in 1/4 Mile

80 MPH

79 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Kicks gets better fuel mileage than the Trax:

MPG

Kicks

FWD

1.6 DOHC 4 cyl.

31 city/36 hwy

Trax

FWD

1.4 turbo 4 cyl.

26 city/31 hwy

AWD

1.4 turbo 4 cyl.

24 city/29 hwy

Transmission

The Kicks has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The Trax doesn’t offer a CVT.

Tires and Wheels

The Kicks S’ standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 60 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Trax’s standard 70 series tires.

The Kicks has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The Trax doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

Suspension and Handling

The Kicks has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Kicks flat and controlled during cornering. The Trax’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Kicks’ wheelbase is 2.5 inches longer than on the Trax (103.1 inches vs. 100.6 inches).

The Kicks SR handles at .83 G’s, while the Trax LT AWD pulls only .72 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

Passenger Space

The Kicks has 1.1 inches more front headroom, 2.9 inches more front legroom and .4 inches more rear shoulder room than the Trax.

The front step up height for the Kicks is 1.4 inches lower than the Trax (15.4” vs. 16.8”). The Kicks’ rear step up height is 1 inches lower than the Trax’s (15.8” vs. 16.8”).

Cargo Capacity

The Kicks has a much larger cargo volume than the Trax with its rear seat up (25.3 vs. 18.7 cubic feet).

Ergonomics

The Kicks’ front power windows open or close with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside of the car. The Trax’s front passenger window doesn’t close automatically.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the Kicks has standard extendable sun visors. The Trax doesn’t offer extendable visors.